Cyprus population increases by 1% in 2008

The population in the southern government controlled areas of Cyprus recorded a 1% increase in 2008, according to a demographic report issued by the Statistical Service, which gives, inter alia, an account of population developments and provides data on a time series basis on fertility, mortality, marriages, divorces and migration.

The population in the Government controlled area is estimated at 796,900 at the end of 2008, compared to 789,300 in the previous year, recording an increase of 1.0%.

The population increase in 2008 is mainly explained by an increased natural increase by 4,011 persons and to a lesser extent by the net migration balance of 3,595 persons.

The number of births reached 9,205 in 2008, compared to 8,575 during the previous year.

The total fertility rate, which gives the mean number of children per woman, was estimated at 1.46 in 2008 and has, since 1995, remained below the replacement level of 2.10.

The number of deaths reached 5,194 in 2008 compared to 5,380 in 2007.

Furthermore, the expectation of life at birth is estimated at 78.3 years for males and 81.9 for females for the period 2006 – 2007.

In 2008, the number of marriages decreased to 13,395 from 13,422 in 2007. Ecclesiastical marriages decreased from 4,444 in 2007 to 3,293 in 2008, and civil marriages increased from 8,978 in 2007 to 10,102 in 2008.

In 2008 the number of divorces was 1,639 compared to 1,648 in 2007.

The government of the Republic of Cyprus is prevented, by the Turkish military, from exercising its jurisdiction in the northern Turkish occupied areas of the country.